Glass, stainless steel, silicone, foil, ceramic… here's what we'd choose after years of helping people create healthier kitchens.
Air fryers are one of Australia's most popular kitchen appliances – fast, economical, and often healthier than pan-frying since they use so little oil. But sometimes we don't stop to think about what the food is actually cooking in.
At Biome, we've spent more than 20 years helping customers reduce unnecessary plastics and questionable chemicals throughout the home. So when someone asks what container to use in an air fryer, we're not just thinking about whether it fits the basket – we're thinking about what happens to that material under repeated high heat, day after day, year after year.
Our answer isn't complicated. Where practical, glass is the best choice. Tempered (or borosilicate) glass has one of the longest histories of safely cooking food at high temperatures – it's stable, easy to clean, and doesn't leave you wondering what your dinner has been sitting in.
In a nutshell
- Oven-safe glass is our preferred material for cooking messy foods in an air fryer.
- Oven-safe ceramic is another excellent option.
- Stainless steel baking dishes and trays also work well.
- Silicone liners are widely used, but at Biome we don't recommend silicone for repeated high-temperature cooking.
- Aluminium foil has limited use and is disposable, so it's not ideal for everyday cooking.
Whatever you use, it must be genuinely oven safe and leave enough room for hot air to circulate.
Can you put a container in an air fryer?
Yes. An air fryer is essentially a compact fan-forced oven, so most containers suitable for your oven are suitable for your air fryer too.
The real question isn't whether you can use a container – it's which one makes the most sense. If you've ever tried cooking shakshuka, sticky chicken wings or a cheesy pasta bake directly in the basket, you already know why people go looking for a dish.
Do you need special containers for an air fryer?
Not really. You just need cookware that's:
- oven safe
- the right size
- able to withstand the cooking temperature
- small enough to leave room for air to circulate.
Many of the baking dishes already in your cupboard will meet those requirements – some of the best air fryer containers were originally designed for conventional ovens. "Air fryer accessories" is largely a marketing category; before buying another gadget, check what you already own.
What kind of container can I put in my air fryer?
| Material | Suitable for an air fryer? | Heat stability | Best for | Things to consider | Biome's view |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oven-safe glass | Yes | Excellent when specifically labelled oven safe | Messy foods, baked pasta, lasagne, baked oats, eggs, brownies and reheating leftovers | Avoid sudden temperature changes and make sure the dish leaves space for airflow | Our preferred choice. Glass is durable, non-porous and chemically stable under normal cooking conditions |
| Oven-safe ceramic | Yes | Very good when labelled oven safe | Baked eggs, ramekin dishes, gratins, desserts, dips and individual serves | Decorative bowls and handmade ceramics may not be suitable for high heat | A very good option, particularly for smaller baked dishes |
| Stainless steel | Yes | Excellent | Roasting vegetables, cakes, slices, bread, meatballs and small tray bakes | Choose an uncoated tray that fits comfortably without blocking airflow | A practical, durable and long-lasting choice |
| Silicone | Widely used, but we don't choose | Varies by product and manufacturer | Reducing sticking and making baskets easier to clean | Check the manufacturer's maximum temperature and replace damaged or deteriorating pieces | We do not recommend silicone for repeated high-temperature cooking when glass, ceramic or stainless steel can do the same job |
| Aluminium foil | Sometimes | Suitable for oven temperatures | Wrapping potatoes, protecting delicate food and catching occasional drips | Do not block airflow, allow foil to blow towards the heating element, or use it extensively with acidic foods | Useful occasionally, but a reusable glass or stainless steel dish is preferable for everyday cooking |
| Baking paper liner | Yes, with care (some have silicone) | Suitable only within the temperature stated by the manufacturer | Biscuits, pastries and foods likely to stick | Place it inside the basket with food on top. Never preheat with loose paper inside | Handy for occasional use, although a reusable dish may be better for foods cooked regularly |
| Plastic or melamine | No | Not suitable for oven temperatures | Not suitable for air fryer use | May soften, warp, melt or release unwanted substances when heated | Do not use. |
Glass: our first choice
If we had to recommend one material for most air fryer cooking, it's oven-safe glass. It doesn't absorb flavours or odours, won't stain from tomato sauce or turmeric, and – when properly tempered – copes well with baking and roasting temperatures.
Glass is also chemically stable, with no coatings or additives doing the work for it. A good glass dish, looked after, will last a very long time. The most sustainable product is often the one you only buy once.
Best for messy foods
Anything likely to bubble, ooze, spill or caramelise is easier in a dish than loose in the basket:
- lasagne, baked pasta, macaroni cheese
- shakshuka and curries
- sticky chicken wings, baked beans
- vegetable gratins, baked feta
- fruit crumble, brownies, cinnamon scrolls
- reheating last night's casserole.
A glass dish keeps the basket clean, cooks more evenly since the sauce stays put, and lets you lift the whole meal out in one go.
Reheating in the same dish
You can often reheat leftovers in the glass container they were stored in, straight from the fridge into the air fryer – one less transfer, one less dish to wash.
This is where a container like Glasslock oven-safe containers earns its place: the tempered glass base goes from fridge or freezer into the air fryer, then back to being an airtight storage container once the lid goes back on. One piece of glass doing several jobs.
One important habit: the plastic lid always comes off first. The glass base is oven safe; the lid isn't. Store with the lid on, cook or reheat with it off.
Can I use a Glasslock container in my air fryer?
Yes – but only the oven safe Glasslock that has the red seal around the lid. Glasslock containers with the blue seal are not oven safe. Just remember to:
- remove the plastic lid before it goes in the air fryer
- check the dish fits with room for air to circulate
- avoid sudden temperature changes (don't go freezer-to-hot-basket)
- use oven mitts when removing it, as it retains heat well.
Once cooking or reheating is done and the dish has cooled, the lid goes straight back on for storage.
Find the Glasslock air fryer safe range here
Can I put a Pyrex dish in my air fryer?
Yes, provided it's genuine oven-safe Pyrex (or another tempered glass baking dish) and fits comfortably in the basket with room for airflow. As with any glass cookware, avoid sudden temperature changes – no hot-dish-into-cold-water, and nothing straight from the freezer into a hot appliance.
How to safely use a glass container in an air fryer
- Check it's genuinely oven safe – tempered or borosilicate glass, not everyday drinking glasses or decorative pieces.
- Remove plastic lids first, as above.
- Avoid thermal shock – let a cold dish sit closer to room temperature before it goes in.
- Check for chips or cracks before use; retire a damaged dish to cold storage only.
- Leave clearance around the dish so air can circulate.
- Use oven mitts or a trivet when removing it – glass holds heat well.
Ceramic: another excellent option
Ceramic performs beautifully for baked dishes and retains heat well, which is handy for meals you want to stay warm at the table. Small ramekins are ideal for baked eggs, soufflés, individual pies, desserts and dips like baked brie.
The key is checking the dish is labelled oven safe – decorative ceramics and handmade pottery often aren't rated for repeated high heat.
Stainless steel and metal trays: practical and durable
Stainless steel isn't as photogenic as a colourful silicone liner, but it's durable, easy to clean, resistant to staining, and free from coatings that eventually wear away. Small tins, cake pans and roasting trays work well for:
- roasting vegetables or meat
- baking focaccia, small cakes or slices
- meatballs.
Just keep the tray small enough that it doesn't block airflow. For most households, glass plus stainless steel covers almost everything.
Silicone: why our view is different
Silicone air fryer liners are everywhere – they make cleaning easier, reduce sticking, and cut down on disposable paper liners. Many manufacturers rate them as oven safe.
Our approach is more cautious. Silicone is still a manufactured polymer made using some petrochemical and other chemical inputs. The quality varies widely and there is no accreditation scheme for peace of mind. So for repeated high-heat cooking we prefer materials with a longer track record of stability: glass, ceramic and stainless steel. If glass does the same job without the risk, why wouldn't we choose glass?
That doesn't mean everyone needs to agree. Plenty of people use silicone bakeware for years without concern. But if you ask what we'd choose for high-heat cooking, it's still glass.
We prefer to use silicone for freezing and storage where the silicone is not being put under extreme melting temperatures.
Can I put aluminium foil in an air fryer?
Yes, but sparingly. It's handy for wrapping potatoes, protecting delicate food, or catching drips – but covering too much of the basket blocks airflow, and it's another disposable item after every meal.
If you do use it:
- never line an empty basket with it
- don't block airflow around the food
- make sure it can't blow into the heating element
- avoid cooking acidic foods directly on it for long periods.
A reusable glass or stainless steel dish is usually the better everyday option.
Do air fryer liners go in the basket or underneath it?
Inside the basket, with food on top holding it down – never underneath, and never loose during preheating. The fan moves air quickly enough that unweighted paper can lift towards the heating element. This applies to baking paper and purpose-made liners alike.
What dishes and foods should you not put in an air fryer?
Avoid anything not designed for oven temperatures: plastic containers, melamine, takeaway packaging, crystal glass, decorative serving dishes, wooden bowls, or anything with glued decorative parts. If you're unsure, don't guess – use cookware clearly labelled oven safe.
5 foods to avoid
- Wet battered foods – batter needs hot oil to set; in an air fryer it usually drips away before crisping. Breadcrumb coatings work better.
- Popcorn – uneven heat circulation, and loose kernels can reach the heating element.
- Loose leafy greens – lightweight leaves can blow around the basket before cooking.
- Large amounts of loose cheese – it melts, runs, and finds every gap. Contain it in a dish instead.
- Overcrowded food – piled too deep, hot air can't circulate and food steams instead of crisping.
Frequently asked questions
What container can I use in an air fryer? Any container that is genuinely oven safe, fits comfortably inside the basket and allows hot air to circulate. Oven-safe glass, ceramic and stainless steel are all good choices.
What is the best container to use in an air fryer? At Biome, we generally recommend oven-safe glass because it's durable, chemically stable, easy to clean and well suited to high-temperature cooking.
Do you need special containers for an air fryer? No. Many ordinary baking dishes and oven-safe cookware work perfectly well.
Can I put a metal tray in an air fryer? Yes. Stainless steel baking trays and cake tins work well as long as they leave enough room for air to circulate.
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